11 y.o. French Bulldog is afraid of my boyfriend

[marenka]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I've searched online but am not finding many resources to help.

I have an 11 year old female French Bulldog - Jolene. She is very sociable and loves people (over dogs). However, she is very afraid of my boyfriend of 2+ years. He is only kind to her, brings her treats, tries to interact with her, but she won't have it. I know there has never been any negative interaction as I'm always around when he visits.

I got Jolene as a puppy and have always lived alone... it's always been just me and her. She used to sleep in my bed but I had to kick her out a few years ago because she was disrupting my sleep so much. She now sleeps in the next room (she still doesn't want to accept it and follows me into my bedroom each night at bedtime). I think she may feel like he is replacing her... when he comes over and stays the night. The fear started about 6 months into the relationship. She either hides in her teepee, or sticks to me like glue. She doesn't even want to take treats from him (!!) but eventually does reluctantly. This is extremely unlike her usual behavior. In fact, she tends to prefer men over women when we are in a crowd or at the park.

Can anyone suggest some things we could try to improve that relationship?

Thank you!
Maren & Jolene

 

[John]

I don't have any ideas to help fix this but hoepfully someone else chimes in. She's such a cutie, it could be just a trust thing he has to earn over time... the treat thing was definitely my first thought.

Perhaps allowing her to sleep in your rim in a kennel might be better for her as well?

 

[2bullymama]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I've searched online but am not finding many resources to help.

I have an 11 year old female French Bulldog - Jolene. She is very sociable and loves people (over dogs). However, she is very afraid of my boyfriend of 2+ years. He is only kind to her, brings her treats, tries to interact with her, but she won't have it. I know there has never been any negative interaction as I'm always around when he visits.

I got Jolene as a puppy and have always lived alone... it's always been just me and her. She used to sleep in my bed but I had to kick her out a few years ago because she was disrupting my sleep so much. She now sleeps in the next room (she still doesn't want to accept it and follows me into my bedroom each night at bedtime). I think she may feel like he is replacing her... when he comes over and stays the night. The fear started about 6 months into the relationship. She either hides in her teepee, or sticks to me like glue. She doesn't even want to take treats from him (!!) but eventually does reluctantly. This is extremely unlike her usual behavior. In fact, she tends to prefer men over women when we are in a crowd or at the park.

Can anyone suggest some things we could try to improve that relationship?

Thank you!
Maren & Jolene

I would bring her back into your room… crate her with a bed/blanket and a dirty tshirt of yours.

For the BF.. it sounds crazy but does he wear hats or glasses? Some dogs just don’t like those items. Does her walk her with you? They need to bond and walking is the best way to help that happen

 

[marenka]

I will try her in the bedroom again. I had kicked her out years ago because the snoring/slurping/licking/scratching/general noisiness was keeping me up at night.

She is going to stay with him while I am on a 3-day business trip. I hope that will encourage bonding, and not traumatize her. We'll do some more walks together before then.

Thanks for your feedback